Our area suggestions
Food Scene
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay AveVoted Best in the County- a bit pricey
Extremely romantic dinner overlooking Soquel Creek. Near the Beach in Capitola- 4 star food, the bar/waiting area is good for appetizers and even a light dinner- the place is famous and worth a visit.
205 locals recommend
Shadowbrook Restaurant
1750 Wharf RdExtremely romantic dinner overlooking Soquel Creek. Near the Beach in Capitola- 4 star food, the bar/waiting area is good for appetizers and even a light dinner- the place is famous and worth a visit.
Great local spot for mexican food- on the creek in Soquel- only about a mile from Lahaina Hale. Lunch or dinner-
7 locals recommend
Little Tampico
2605 S Main StGreat local spot for mexican food- on the creek in Soquel- only about a mile from Lahaina Hale. Lunch or dinner-
Go Upstairs at Stagnaro's- it has a bar and full restaurant with amazing views of the Wharf, the Bay, the Boardwalk- you can even see the harbor. On Wednesday nights between April and September, the local sailor's have a race- lots of boats and beautiful compliment to sunset-
25 locals recommend
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal WharfGo Upstairs at Stagnaro's- it has a bar and full restaurant with amazing views of the Wharf, the Bay, the Boardwalk- you can even see the harbor. On Wednesday nights between April and September, the local sailor's have a race- lots of boats and beautiful compliment to sunset-
local's hangout- lots of live music at night- great coffee and pastries - it is small and funky- very 'Soquel'....
19 locals recommend
Ugly Mug CoffeeHouse
4640 Soquel Drlocal's hangout- lots of live music at night- great coffee and pastries - it is small and funky- very 'Soquel'....
Great Tai Food- you can have a dinner just from their appetizer menu- very good.
11 locals recommend
Bangkok West
2505 Cabrillo College DrGreat Tai Food- you can have a dinner just from their appetizer menu- very good.
Locals love this place- very good food, great service, small and very nice- full bar as well- seating inside or out (they have heaters). reasonable prices
59 locals recommend
The Hideout
9051 Soquel DrLocals love this place- very good food, great service, small and very nice- full bar as well- seating inside or out (they have heaters). reasonable prices
One of the best barbeque places in the county- nightly entertainment too- but they run out of food and shut down by 9pm the do take-out and it is GREAT!
95 locals recommend
Aptos St. BBQ
8059 Aptos StOne of the best barbeque places in the county- nightly entertainment too- but they run out of food and shut down by 9pm the do take-out and it is GREAT!
Restaurant and Bar- this place has a world famous (yes famous) Cream of Artichoke Soup- it is AMAZING- and worth the drive- up the coast off Highway 1 in Pescadero. Also- they do a homemade Ollalaberry Pie- again- absolutely amazing.
59 locals recommend
Duarte's Tavern
202 Stage RdRestaurant and Bar- this place has a world famous (yes famous) Cream of Artichoke Soup- it is AMAZING- and worth the drive- up the coast off Highway 1 in Pescadero. Also- they do a homemade Ollalaberry Pie- again- absolutely amazing.
There are 3 or 4 places in Davenport- right on Hiway 1 north of Santa Cruz. A brewery, a bakery, and a great mexican food restaurant- views from the cliffs here are amazing and whales can be seen during the California Gray Whale migration.
28 locals recommend
Davenport Roadhouse
1 Davenport AveThere are 3 or 4 places in Davenport- right on Hiway 1 north of Santa Cruz. A brewery, a bakery, and a great mexican food restaurant- views from the cliffs here are amazing and whales can be seen during the California Gray Whale migration.
Drinks & Nightlife
Famous- biggest bands that have ever played in Santa Cruz play here- also right on the Pacific Garden Mall in Downtown Santa Cruz- Great place to stroll around after dark. Pacific Ave .
81 locals recommend
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AveFamous- biggest bands that have ever played in Santa Cruz play here- also right on the Pacific Garden Mall in Downtown Santa Cruz- Great place to stroll around after dark. Pacific Ave .
All the funky little restaurants in Capitola (the 'Esplanade') a pretty cool. Margaritaville- Mexican, Zelda's -seafood is great, Paradise Beach Grill- very good w/white tablecloths, Sand Bar- bar w nightly music
167 locals recommend
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveAll the funky little restaurants in Capitola (the 'Esplanade') a pretty cool. Margaritaville- Mexican, Zelda's -seafood is great, Paradise Beach Grill- very good w/white tablecloths, Sand Bar- bar w nightly music
Great local micro-brewery- their beer is available in many of the local restaurants as well
55 locals recommend
Discretion Brewing
2703 41st AveGreat local micro-brewery- their beer is available in many of the local restaurants as well
Entertainment & Activities
World Famous for the Dipper Roller Coaster, and many movies filmed here- Lost Boys, Sudden Impact, Killer Clowns from outer space, it is 'The Tourist Spot' for the area. Fun for a day- caution- check for open times- hours are reduced in off season but you can always walk around- always open to strolling and along Santa Cruz Main Beach
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StWorld Famous for the Dipper Roller Coaster, and many movies filmed here- Lost Boys, Sudden Impact, Killer Clowns from outer space, it is 'The Tourist Spot' for the area. Fun for a day- caution- check for open times- hours are reduced in off season but you can always walk around- always open to strolling and along Santa Cruz Main Beach
Two trains are located in Roaring Camp (up Graham Hill Road toward Felton)
1- narrow gauge train that goes from Roaring Camp up to the top of the mountain (about a 3 mile trek) Bear Mountain- it is all their property- fun for train lovers and children- lots of history in these hills
2- A full size train goes (check schedule) from Roaring Camp down along the San Lorenzo River to the Boardwalk (all the way to the beach)- a very cool ride and absolutely beautiful. They do a special Christmas time train and some night trains too. A great experience- at least once!
58 locals recommend
Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadTwo trains are located in Roaring Camp (up Graham Hill Road toward Felton)
1- narrow gauge train that goes from Roaring Camp up to the top of the mountain (about a 3 mile trek) Bear Mountain- it is all their property- fun for train lovers and children- lots of history in these hills
2- A full size train goes (check schedule) from Roaring Camp down along the San Lorenzo River to the Boardwalk (all the way to the beach)- a very cool ride and absolutely beautiful. They do a special Christmas time train and some night trains too. A great experience- at least once!
As funky and campy as it gets- this place is HUGE with international visitors- it is a huge optical illusion that is fun to see and experience- the ride up to the Mystery Spot (up Branciforte Rd) is a beautiful drive.
34 locals recommend
Mystery Spot Road
Mystery Spot RoadAs funky and campy as it gets- this place is HUGE with international visitors- it is a huge optical illusion that is fun to see and experience- the ride up to the Mystery Spot (up Branciforte Rd) is a beautiful drive.
Everything Else
Go Upstairs at Stagnaro's- it has a bar and full restaurant with amazing views of the Wharf, the Bay, the Boardwalk- you can even see the harbor. On Wednesday nights between April and September, the local sailor's have a race- lots of boats and beautiful compliment to sunset-
25 locals recommend
Stagnaro Bros.
59 Municipal WharfGo Upstairs at Stagnaro's- it has a bar and full restaurant with amazing views of the Wharf, the Bay, the Boardwalk- you can even see the harbor. On Wednesday nights between April and September, the local sailor's have a race- lots of boats and beautiful compliment to sunset-
All the funky little restaurants in Capitola (the 'Esplanade') a pretty cool. Margaritaville- Mexican, Zelda's -seafood is great, Paradise Beach Grill- very good w/white tablecloths, Sand Bar- bar w nightly music
167 locals recommend
Capitola Beach Company
131 Monterey AveAll the funky little restaurants in Capitola (the 'Esplanade') a pretty cool. Margaritaville- Mexican, Zelda's -seafood is great, Paradise Beach Grill- very good w/white tablecloths, Sand Bar- bar w nightly music
Parks & Nature
great beach, SUP area, woods up at the campsites are beautiful
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Drgreat beach, SUP area, woods up at the campsites are beautiful
this is where the famous ''Cement Ship" is located- a great walk along the beach- park up at the top of the hill before the Park Entrance- and walk down- it is free and worth the hike- You can see across the bay to Monterey from the cliff here- lots of dolphin, whales, and white sharks (yes, great whites have become pretty prolific here- mostly adolescent)
97 locals recommend
Seacliff State Beach
State Park Drivethis is where the famous ''Cement Ship" is located- a great walk along the beach- park up at the top of the hill before the Park Entrance- and walk down- it is free and worth the hike- You can see across the bay to Monterey from the cliff here- lots of dolphin, whales, and white sharks (yes, great whites have become pretty prolific here- mostly adolescent)
Shopping
a walk up and down Pacific Garden Mall in Santa Cruz will show you why many people believe in the slogan - Keep Santa Cruz Weird
this is the VW Bug and Tiedye capital of the world. Many homeless but that is part of the local culture.
88 locals recommend
Pacific Avenue
Pacific Avenuea walk up and down Pacific Garden Mall in Santa Cruz will show you why many people believe in the slogan - Keep Santa Cruz Weird
this is the VW Bug and Tiedye capital of the world. Many homeless but that is part of the local culture.
your basic competitor to Safeway- good food and reasonable prices- a mile from Lahaina Hale- also next door is CVS and in the area is a Pizza place, Sushi place, and Pete's Coffee
54 locals recommend
Nob Hill Foods
809 Bay Aveyour basic competitor to Safeway- good food and reasonable prices- a mile from Lahaina Hale- also next door is CVS and in the area is a Pizza place, Sushi place, and Pete's Coffee
Arts & Culture
A great Venue- very old and 'Deco'-
lots of famous artists/musicians/comedians come through the area and perform at the Rio.
52 locals recommend
Rio Theatre
1205 Soquel AveA great Venue- very old and 'Deco'-
lots of famous artists/musicians/comedians come through the area and perform at the Rio.